NRI scientists express willingness to work in India: Govt

Several NRI scientists working abroad have expressed willingness to work in India as their confidence in the work environment in the country has increased, the Lok Sabha was informed today.
Minister of State (Independent charge) for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh said government has received various applications from NRI scientists expressing willingness to work in India.
Responding to a supplementary, he said their confidence in the work environment in India and befitting monetary returns is one of the reasons for their willigness to return.
He credited the efforts made by the NDA government for scientists' willingness to return.
Taking a dig at his remarks, some opposition members wanted the government to name scientists who have expressed desire to return.

The Minister said some scientists in the country had felt "left out" over the years and now government is reaching out to them by trying to involve them in various research projects and making them part of committees.

To encourage scientific research and attract fresh talent, government is contemplating to introduce new awards.
The government is also working on an Indo-French scientific council to encourage exchange programmes.
Responding to another supplementary, he said headway has been made in the field patents and in the past five years, there has been an increase of 182 per cent in managing patents from 403 in 2005 to 1,137 in 2010.

Singh also said research publications have also seen an increase of 50 per cent from 26,093 in 2005 to 40,711 in 2010.
Strengthening infrastructure for research and development in universities, encouraging public-private R and D partnerships, recognition of R and D units and national awards for outstanding R and D for indusrtries are some of the efforts being made to promote scientific research, he said.